Muslims urge Mega to cut ties with RP

Muslims urge Mega to cut ties with RP

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Around 500 Muslims grouped in the
newly formed Islamic Law Enforcement Committee (KPPSI) staged a
rally at the South Sulawesi legislative council to demand that
the central government take extreme measures to release the three
Muslim Indonesians being detained on terrorist charges in the
Philippines.

The protesting group included Jundullah fighters, the Islamic
Youth Movement (GPI) and the Association of the Indonesian Muslim
Students (HMI).

The protesters urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri to cut
diplomatic ties with the Philippines if Manila refused to free
the suspects, Tamzil Limrung, Agus Dwikarna and Djamal Balfas.

They also denounced Manila for revealing the involvement of
the three suspects with some militant Islamic organizations in
Indonesia.

The three were arrested in Manila on March 13, 2002, on
charges of possessing explosives and violating immigration laws,
after trying to board an international flight with the
explosives.

Secretary of KPPSI's Advocacy Team Iswari Al Farisi slammed
the government for failing to take a firm stance in dealing with
the detainees.

"It is an insult to Indonesian sovereignty. Why is the
government keeping silent?" Iswari asked.

The Filipino authorities have asserted that it is their right
to arrest criminals in their country, regardless of
citizenship.--JP